Methods and apparatus to monitor a media presentation

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus to monitor a media presentation are disclosed. An example system includes a monitoring device to monitor a media presentation and generate research data identifying the media. A bridge device includes a housing dimensioned to receive the monitoring device, a receiver carried by the housing to receive a first audio signal via a wireless data connection from an audio source device using a wireless communication protocol, the first audio signal associated with the media. The bridge device includes an audio emitter to emit the audio signal for receipt by the monitoring device, and a transmitter to transmit the audio signal to an audio receiver device using the wireless communication protocol.

RELATED APPLICATION

This patent arises from a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 16/208,497, filed on Dec. 3, 2018, and entitled “METHODS ANDAPPARATUS TO MONITOR A MEDIA PRESENTATION”, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/477,711, filed on Apr. 3, 2017, andentitled “METHODS AND APPARATUS TO MONITOR A MEDIA PRESENTATION”, whichis a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/577,888, filedon Dec. 19, 2014, and entitled “METHODS AND APPARATUS TO MONITOR A MEDIAPRESENTATION”, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/006,452, filed on Dec. 31, 2007, and entitled “DATA CAPTUREBRIDGE”. Priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/208,497, U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/477,711, U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/577,888, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/006,452 is herebyclaimed. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/208,497, U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/477,711, U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/577,888, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/006,452 are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

Efforts to monitor the exposure of consumers to audio and video mediasuch as, e.g., programs, music, and advertisements, have long relied ongathering data from audience survey participants. Traditionally, suchdata gathering has involved the manual recording of media contentconsumption patterns by survey participants in participant diaries.Audience surveys have been conducted by providing selected andconsenting members with record diaries and requiring that the audiencemembers record their media consumption periodically over a particulartime span. Unfortunately, survey participants often prove unreliable intheir ability to maintain complete and accurate records of their mediaconsumption activities. Record diaries may be forgotten or lost, and,even when remembered, significant discipline is required to maintainaccurate written records on a regular basis. The metric of surveyparticipant adherence to the data collection protocol of a survey istermed “compliance.” More recently, the development of miniaturizedelectronic technologies has permitted the automation of some datacollection functions useful in the study of audience media consumption.Compliance is generally improved by this automation of data collection.

Many consumer electronic devices are now enabled to provide personalarea network wireless connectivity with other devices over shortdistances. Bluetooth is a particularly popular short-range wirelesstechnology that allows electronic devices to communicate with oneanother wirelessly, i.e., without connectors, wires, or cables.Bluetooth enabled headsets and vehicle speaker systems are now widelyused with cellular phones and media players to wirelessly receive audiosignals and to produce an audio output heard by the user.

Capturing complete and accurate information regarding consumer mediaconsumption using Bluetooth or other wireless personal area networkenabled devices in a convenient and effective manner remains difficult.Despite the ongoing efforts of many creative practitioners of skill inthe art, this problem has remained unsolved until now.

SUMMARY

In accordance with certain embodiments of the invention, an apparatus isprovided for gathering research data indicating exposure to audiocontent to a user of an audio source device and an audio receiverdevice. The audio source device wirelessly transmits an audio signalcontaining the audio content. The audio receiver device receives anaudio signal containing the audio content. The audio receiver deviceincludes a speaker to output the audio content to be heard by the user.The apparatus includes a bridge device for wirelessly bridging the audiosignal from the audio source device to the audio receiver device. Thebridge device includes a speaker for outputting the audio content fromthe audio signal. The apparatus also includes a monitoring deviceacoustically coupled to the bridge device for monitoring the audiocontent output by the speaker of the bridge device, and generatingresearch data identifying the audio content.

In accordance with certain embodiments of the invention, a method isprovided for gathering research data indicating exposure to audiocontent to a user of an audio source device and an audio receiverdevice. The audio source device wirelessly transmits an audio signalcontaining the audio content. The audio receiver device receives anaudio signal containing the audio content and uses a speaker to outputthe audio content to be heard by the user. The method comprises: (a)wirelessly bridging the audio signal from the audio source device to theaudio receiver device; (b) outputting the audio content from the audiosignal; and (c) monitoring the audio content output in (b) andgenerating research data identifying the audio content.

In accordance with certain embodiments of the invention, a system isprovided for gathering research data indicating exposure to audiocontent to a user. The system includes an audio source device forwirelessly transmitting an audio signal containing the audio content.The system also includes an audio receiver device including a speakerfor outputting the audio content to be heard by the user. The systemfurther includes a bridge device for wirelessly bridging the audiosignal from the audio source device to the audio receiver device. Thebridge device includes a speaker for outputting the audio content fromthe audio signal. The system also includes a monitoring deviceacoustically coupled to the bridge device for monitoring the audiocontent output by the speaker of the bridge device and generatingresearch data identifying the audio content.

These and other advantages and features of the invention will be morereadily understood in relation to the following detailed description ofthe invention, which is provided in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary research data collectionsystem in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary audio source device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary audio receiver device.

FIG. 4A is a block diagram of a bridge device and a monitoring device inaccordance with certain embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4B is a block diagram of a bridge device and a monitoring device inaccordance with certain further embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a bridge device in accordance with certainalternate embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a bridge device in accordance with certainfurther alternate embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is provided to enable any person skilled inthe art to make and use the disclosed inventions and sets forth the bestmodes presently contemplated by the inventors of carrying out theirinventions. In the following description, for purposes of explanation,numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, toone skilled in the art that the present invention may be practicedwithout these specific details. In certain instances, well-knownstructures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the present inventions.

For this application the following terms and definitions shall apply:

The term “data” as used herein means any indicia, signals, marks,symbols, domains, symbol sets, representations, and any other physicalform or forms representing information, whether permanent or temporary,whether visible, audible, acoustic, electric, magnetic, electromagneticor otherwise manifested. The term “data” as used to representpredetermined information in one physical form shall be deemed toencompass any and all representations of corresponding information in adifferent physical form or forms.

The terms “media data” and “media” as used herein mean data that iswidely accessible, whether over-the-air, or via cable, satellite,network, internetwork (including the Internet), print, displayed,distributed on storage media, or by any other means or technique that ishumanly perceptible, without regard to the form or content of such data,and including but not limited to audio, video, text, images, animations,databases, files, broadcasts, displays (including but not limited tovideo displays, posters and billboards), signs, signals, web pages,print media and streaming media data.

The term “research data” as used herein means data comprising (1) dataconcerning usage of media, (2) data concerning exposure to media, and/or(3) market research data.

The terms “gather” and “gathering” as used herein include both directlygathering data with the use of a device as well as emitting data from adevice that causes or enables another device to gather data.

The term “research operation” as used herein means an operationcomprising gathering, storing and/or communicating research data.

The term “network” as used herein includes both networks andinternetworks of all kinds, including the Internet, and is not limitedto any particular network or internetwork.

The terms “first,” “second,” “primary,” and “secondary” are used hereinto distinguish one element, set, data, object, step, process, function,action or thing from another, and are not used to designate relativeposition, arrangement in time or relative importance, unless otherwisestated explicitly.

The terms “coupled”, “coupled to”, and “coupled with” as used hereineach mean a relationship between or among two or more devices,apparatus, files, circuits, elements, functions, operations, processes,programs, media, components, networks, systems, subsystems, and/ormeans, constituting any one or more of (a) a connection, whether director through one or more other devices, apparatus, files, circuits,elements, functions, operations, processes, programs, media, components,networks, systems, subsystems, or means, (b) a communicationsrelationship, whether direct or through one or more other devices,apparatus, files, circuits, elements, functions, operations, processes,programs, media, components, networks, systems, subsystems, or means,and/or (c) a functional relationship in which the operation of any oneor more devices, apparatus, files, circuits, elements, functions,operations, processes, programs, media, components, networks, systems,subsystems, or means depends, in whole or in part, on the operation ofany one or more others thereof.

The terms “communicate”, and “communicating” as used herein include bothconveying data from a source to a destination, and delivering data to acommunications medium, system, channel, device, wire, cable, fiber,circuit, or link to be conveyed to a destination, and the term“communication” as used herein means data so conveyed or delivered. Theterm “communications’ as used herein includes one or more of acommunications medium, system, channel, device, wire, cable, fiber,circuit, and link.

The term “processor” as used herein means processing devices, apparatus,programs, circuits, components, systems, and subsystems, whetherimplemented in hardware, software, or both, and whether or notprogrammable. The term “processor” as used herein includes, but is notlimited to computers, hardwired circuits, signal modifying devices andsystems, devices and machines for controlling systems, centralprocessing units, programmable devices, field programmable gate arrays,application specific integrated circuits, systems on a chip, systemscomprised of discrete elements and circuits, state machines, virtualmachines, and combinations of any of the foregoing.

The terms “storage” and “data storage” as used herein mean data storagedevices, apparatus, programs, circuits, components, systems, subsystems,and storage media serving to retain data, whether on a temporary orpermanent basis, and to provide such retained data.

The present application relates to methods and apparatus for gatheringresearch data by identifying audio content (such as, e.g., programs,music, and advertisements) to which a user of a Bluetooth or otherwireless personal area network enabled audio source device is exposed.Numerous types of research operations are possible, including, withoutlimitation, television and radio program audience measurement; exposureto advertising in various media such as television and radio; andexposure to downloaded audio and video recordings such as podcasts. Forthe desired type of media and/or market research operation to beconducted, particular activity of individuals is monitored, or dataconcerning their attitudes, awareness, and/or preferences is gathered.In certain embodiments, research data relating to two or more of theforegoing are gathered, while in others only one kind of such data isgathered.

Monitoring devices have been developed including the hardware andsoftware required to Monitor exposure to audio media. In the course ofdeveloping the present invention, the inventors have understood thelimitations of such existing Monitoring devices including the inabilityof existing devices to effectively capture information related tosignals received at a Bluetooth earpiece. The inventors have understoodthat this processes may particularly difficult by the peer-to-peerparent that exists in the Bluetooth communication protocol. AlthoughBluetooth communications have been in existence for some time, theproblems understood and identified by the inventors have remainedunresolved. Through diligent effort the inventors have developed asuperior method and apparatus for conducting the desired informationcapture.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system 100 for gathering research dataindicating exposure to audio content by a user in accordance with one ormore embodiments of the invention. The system 100 includes an audiosource device 102 to provide audio content to a user such as, e.g., acellular telephone, a portable media player (e.g., an iPod® device), apersonal digital assistant (“PDA”), a smartphone (e.g., Blackberry®device), a radio, a television, a game system (e.g., a Gameboy® device),a notebook or laptop or other computer, a GPS device, a DVD player, anda walkie talkie.

The system 100 also includes an audio receiver device 104 such as, e.g.,a wireless headset, wireless earphones, or speaker system such as avehicle speaker system. The audio source device 102 and the audioreceiver device 104 are enabled to provide Bluetooth or other personalarea network wireless connectivity such that in ordinary use, the audioreceiver device 104 receives wireless audio streaming containing audiocontent from the audio source device and outputs the audio content to beheard by the user.

The system 100 further includes a bridge device 106 for diverting andbridging the audio stream transmitted by the audio source device 102 tothe audio receiver device 104. Thus, unlike the ordinary use of theaudio source device 102 and the audio receiver device 104 in which theaudio source device 102 transmits an audio stream directly to the audioreceiver device 104, in accordance with various embodiments of theinvention, the audio stream from the audio source device 102 is sent tothe bridge device 106, which in turn sends the audio stream to the audioreceiver device 104.

The system 100 also includes a monitoring device 108 (sometimes referredto as a “portable people meter”), which is acoustically coupled to thebridge device 106, for generating research data identifying the audiocontent to which the user is exposed.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary audio source device102. The audio source device 102 can include a processor 120 that isoperative to exercise overall control and to process audio and otherdata for transmission or reception. The audio source device 102 includesa wireless transmitter node 122 (such as a Bluetooth transmitter node)coupled to the processor 120 to wirelessly transmit audio signalscontaining audio content. In other embodiments, the audio source device102 does not include a wireless transmitter node, in which case, awireless transmitter node is provided in a separate device attached tothe audio source device 102. The wireless transmitter node 122 includesa transceiver configured to allow the audio source device 102 tocommunicate with another device using a wireless protocol such as, e.g.,Bluetooth protocol, ZigBee™ protocol, wireless LAN protocol, or via aninfrared data link, inductive link or the like, for enablingcommunications with the bridge device 106 as will be described below.

In some audio source devices 102, the processor 120 can also executeother applications such as, e.g., applications serving to download audioand/or video data, e-mail clients and applications enabling the user toplay games using the audio source device 102.

The audio source device 102 can also include storage 124 coupled withprocessor 120 and operative to store data such as, e.g., audio content,and application programs. In certain embodiments, storage 124 storessoftware providing audio and/or video downloading and reproducingfunctionality, such as iPod® software, enabling the user to reproduceaudio and/or video content downloaded from a source, such as a personalcomputer.

In addition, audio source device 102 can also include a user inputinterface 126 coupled with processor, such as a keypad, to entertelephone numbers and other control data. The audio source device 102can also include a display 128 coupled with processor 120 to providedata visually to the user under the control of processor 120.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary audio receiver device 104,which can be any Bluetooth or other personal area network enabled devicethat produces an acoustic output to be heard by the user from receivedwireless audio signals. As indicated above, audio receiver devices 104can include, without limitation, wireless headsets, earphones, andspeaker systems. The audio receiver device 104 includes a processor 140that is operative to exercise overall control and to process audio andother data received by the device. The device 104 also includes awireless receiver node 142 coupled to the processor 140 to receivewireless audio signals containing audio content. The audio receiverdevice 104 also includes one or more speakers or earphones 144 coupledwith processor 140 to transduce received audio signals from processor140 to an acoustic output to be heard by the user. The audio receiverdevice 104 also includes a user input interface 148 (such as controlbuttons for entering data and user commands) coupled with the processor140, and a display 146 or indicator coupled with the processor device toindicate, e.g., operational status of the device.

FIG. 4A is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary bridge device 106and an exemplary monitoring device 108 in accordance with certainembodiments of the invention. The bridge device 106 includes a processor160 that is operative to exercise overall control and to process audiodata for transmission and reception. The bridge device 106 bridgeswireless audio signals received from the audio source device 102 to theaudio receiver device 104. For this purpose, the bridge device 106includes a wireless receiver node 162 (such as a Bluetooth receivernode) coupled to the processor 160 that wirelessly receives audiosignals containing audio content from the audio source device 102, and awireless transmitter node 164 (such as a Bluetooth transmitter node)coupled to the processor 160 that wirelessly transmits outgoing audiosignals containing audio content received from the audio source device102. The wireless receiver and transmitter nodes 162, 164 of the bridgedevice 106 each include a transceiver configured to allow the bridgedevice 106 to communicate with the audio source device 102 and the audioreceiver device 104, respectively, using a wireless protocol such as,e.g., Bluetooth protocol, ZigBee™ protocol, wireless LAN protocol, orvia an infrared data link, inductive link or the like.

According to certain embodiments of the invention, power supplies 161,163 are shown in the exemplary bridge device 106 and in the exemplarymonitoring device 108 respectively. In various embodiments, these powersupplies include, for example, one or more of a disposableelectrochemical battery, a rechargeable electrochemical battery, a fuelcell, a capacitive power storage device, a miniature heat engine such asa micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) turbine, a miniature generatorsuch as a hand-crank generator, and a electromagnetic energy capturedevice such as a photovoltaic device, among others known in the art.

In certain embodiments, the wireless receiver node 162 of the bridgedevice 106 outputs a demodulated audio baseband signal to the processor160 from the wireless audio signal received from the audio source device102. The processor 160 transmits the demodulated audio baseband signalto the wireless transmitter module 164, which re-modulates the signalfor wireless transmission to the audio receiver device 104.

The processor 160 also transmits the demodulated audio baseband signalto a speaker 166, which transduces the signal to an acoustic output. Theacoustic output is received by the monitoring device 108 and used togenerate research data identifying the audio content as will bedescribed below.

In certain embodiments, no processor (such as processor 160) is presentbetween the receiver node 162 and the transmitter node 164 such that theaudio baseband signal from the receiver node 162 is transmitted to thetransmitter node 164 without passing through a processor. The audiobaseband signal output by the receiver node is also distributed to thespeaker 166. Accordingly, FIG. 4B shows exemplary monitoring device 191in accordance with certain embodiment of the invention. The bridgedevice 189 includes a wireless receiver node 167 such as a Bluetoothreceiver node mutually coupled to a wireless transmitter node 165 and toa speaker 166. In one embodiment, the speaker 166 includes a driver(i.e. an amplifier) device.

The bridge device 106 also includes a user input coupled with processor160, such as control buttons 168, 170 each associated with one of thenodes 162, 164 to input user commands to “pair” the device 106 to theaudio source device 102 and to the audio receiver device 104 as will bedescribed below. The bridge device 106 also includes one or moreindicators 172, 174 (such as LED indicators) coupled with processor 160to indicate pairing with other devices. In certain embodiments, thecontrol button and indicator for each node are integrated in a singlebutton/indicator.

In certain embodiments, processor 160 comprises two or more processingdevices, such as a first processing device (such as a digital signalprocessor) that processes audio, and a second processing device thatexercises overall control over operation of the bridge device 106. Incertain embodiments, processor employs a single processing device. Incertain embodiments, some or all of the functions of processor areimplemented by hardwired circuitry.

The bridge device 106 also includes a power source (not shown) such as anon-rechargeable battery or a rechargeable battery with a battery chargeconnector.

The monitoring device 108 includes a processor 180 that is operative toexercise overall control and to process audio data from the bridgedevice 106 for identifying data content therein. The monitoring device108 also includes a microphone 182 to receive and transduce acousticenergy from the speaker 166 of the bridge device 106 into an electricalsignal for processing by processor 180. Analog conditioning circuits(not shown) can be coupled with the microphone 182 to receive theelectrical signal from the speaker to perform signal conditioningfunctions as needed prior to analog-to-digital conversion and processingby the processor 180.

The monitoring device 108 further includes storage 184 (including bothprogram and data storage memories) coupled with processor 180 andoperative to store data as needed. In certain embodiments, storage 184comprises a single storage device, while in others it comprises multiplestorage devices. In certain embodiments, a single device implementscertain functions of both processor and storage.

In certain embodiments, processor 180 comprises two or more processingdevices, such as a first processing device (such as a digital signalprocessor) that processes audio, and a second processing device thatexercises overall control over operation of the monitoring device 108.In certain embodiments, processor 180 employs a single processingdevice. In certain embodiments, some or all of the functions ofprocessor are implemented by hardwired circuitry.

The monitoring device 108 also includes a power source (not shown) suchas a non-rechargeable battery or a rechargeable battery with a batterycharge connector.

To enable the monitoring device 108 to gather research data, namely dataindicating exposure to audio content such as programs, music andadvertisements, in certain embodiments, research software is installedin storage 184 to control processor 180 to gather such data and to storethe data for subsequent downloading through output connection 186 andcommunication to a research organization. In certain embodiments, themonitoring device 108 further includes a transceiver (such as a cellulartelephone transceiver—not shown) configured to communicate with andtransmit the research data to the research organization.

In certain embodiments, the research software controls the processor 180to decode ancillary codes in the transduced audio from microphone 182using one or more of the known techniques identified herein, and then tostore and/or communicate the decoded data for use as research dataindicating encoded audio to which the user was exposed. In certainembodiments, the research software controls the processor 180 to extractsignatures from the transduced audio from microphone 182 using one ormore of the known techniques identified herein, and then to store and/orcommunicate the extracted signature data for use as research data to bematched with reference signatures representing known audio to detect theaudio to which the user was exposed. In certain embodiments, theresearch software both decodes ancillary codes in the transduced audioand extracts signatures therefrom for identifying the audio to which theuser was exposed. In certain embodiments, the research software controlsthe processor 180 to store samples of the transduced audio, either incompressed or uncompressed form for subsequent processing either todecode ancillary codes therein or to extract signatures therefrom. Incertain ones of these embodiments, the compressed or uncompressed audiois communicated to a remote processor for decoding and/or signatureextraction.

In certain embodiments, processor 180 adds a time and/or date stamp tothe research data.

In certain embodiments, processor 180 comprises two or more processingdevices, such as a first processing device (such as a digital signalprocessor) that processes audio data, and a second processing devicethat exercises overall control over operation of the monitoring device108. In certain embodiments, processor 180 employs a single processingdevice. In certain embodiments, some or all of the functions ofprocessor 180 are implemented by software, while in other embodiments,the functions of processor 180 are implemented in hardwired circuitrywithout the use of software.

As shown in FIG. 1, in certain embodiments, the bridge device 106 isconfigured as a sleeve or holster to hold the monitoring device 108. Themonitoring device 108 is preferably closely fitted within the bridgedevice 106 such that the speaker 166 in the bridge device 106 and themicrophone 182 in the monitoring device 108 are close proximity. Closepositioning of the speaker 166 and microphone 182 allows a low-volumeacoustic output from the bridge device 106 to be used by the monitoringdevice 108 to identify the audio content thereby reducing the acousticoutput heard by the user, which might be an annoyance. The bridge device106 is preferably made of rubber and plastic to provide some degree ofwater and shock resistance protection for the bridge device 106 and themonitoring device 108 held therein.

In certain embodiments, the bridge device 106 and the monitoring device108 are integrated in a single device.

In certain embodiments, the wireless nodes (particularly if they followthe Bluetooth protocol) of the audio source device 102, the audioreceiver device 104, and the bridge device 106 must be “paired” beforethe research system can be operated. In particular, the user pairs thewireless receiver node 162 of the bridge device 106 with the wirelesstransmitter node 122 of the audio source device 102, and also pairs thewireless transmitter node 164 of the bridge device 106 with the wirelessreceiver node 142 of the audio receiver device 104. Pairing can beestablished, e.g., by pressing one of the pairing button 168, 170associated with one node 162, 164 on the bridge device 106 whileactivating a pairing function at a corresponding audio source device 102or audio receiver device 104, and then repeating the process for theother node 162, 164 on the bridge device 106. The LED indicators 170,172 on the bridge device 106 can indicate established pairings.

Once the wireless nodes have been paired, audio data can be sent fromthe audio source device 102 to the bridge device 106, and from thebridge device 106 to the audio receiver device 104. Bluetooth wirelesstransmitter nodes encode audio data into a selected format and pack theencoded audio data into a payload, which is the data portion of adigital data packet. The data packets are optionally encrypted, anddelivered through an asynchronous connectionless link to a Bluetoothwireless receiver node. A generally reverse operation is performed atthe Bluetooth wireless receiver node.

Bluetooth wireless transmitter and receiver nodes suitable for use inthe bridge device 106 are commercially available, e.g., frommanufacturers such as, BluePioneer, Darvon, and BluePacketCommunications, built from Bluetooth microprocessors made, e.g., byBroadcom and Cambridge Silicon Radio.

In certain embodiments, the wireless transmitter node 164 and thewireless receiver node 162 of the bridge device 106 provide wirelesssignal bridging for stereo audio signals. In particular, if the nodes162, 164 are Bluetooth nodes, they can follow the Advanced AudioDistribution Profile (A2DP) protocol, which is designed to transfer atwo channel stereo audio stream. Thus, in accordance with variousembodiments of the invention, the system 100 can be used to monitorexposure of a user to audio content as the audio content is transmittedto the user in a stereo audio stream.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, a multicasting bridge device 200 is providedin accordance with certain alternate embodiments of the invention. Thebridge device 200 includes a single wireless receiver node 202 forcommunicating with an audio source device 102, and two or more wirelesstransmitter nodes 204, 206, 208, each of which can be paired with awireless receiver node of a different audio receiver device 104. Aprocessor 210 in the bridge device 200 sends the signal received fromthe wireless receiver module 202 to each of the wireless transmitternodes 204, 206, 208. The processor 210 also transmits a demodulatedaudio baseband signal to a speaker 212, which transduces the signal toan acoustic output, which is received by a monitoring device 108 andused to generate data identifying the audio content as previouslydiscussed. The device allows multiple users to wirelessly receive audiocontent from a single audio source device 102. This structure alsoallows a single bridge device 200 to be used to monitor the exposure ofmultiple users to audio content at a time. In one embodiment, a powersupply 213 is included in the bridge device 200.

The bridge device 200 can provide wireless signal bridging for stereoaudio signals. The nodes 202, 204, 206, 208 can be Bluetooth nodesfollowing the A2DP protocol to provide stereo audio streaming, with theprocessor 210 acting as a stereo audio distributor. Thus, bridge device200 can be used to distribute stereo audio signals wirelessly to aplurality of users.

A bridge device 220 in accordance with further alternate embodiments ofthe invention is shown in FIG. 6. In this device, the functionality ofthe wireless receiver node and the wireless transmitter node of thebridge device 106 (FIG. 4) are integrated in a single integrated node222 coupled to a processor 224. The data packets received at theintegrated node 222 from the audio source device 102 are transmitted tothe wireless receiver node 142 of the audio receiver device 104 withoutbeing demodulated and again modulated at the bridge device 220 beforebeing sent. The integrated node 222 outputs a demodulated audio basebandsignal that is sent to a speaker 226, which transduces the signal to anacoustic output, which is received by a monitoring device 108 and usedto identify the audio content as previously discussed.

Various monitoring techniques by the monitoring device 108 foridentifying audio content are possible. For example, television viewingor radio listening habits, including exposure to commercials therein,can be monitored utilizing a variety of techniques. In certaintechniques, acoustic energy to which an individual is exposed ismonitored to produce data that identifies or characterizes a program,song, station, channel, commercial, etc. that is being watched orlistened to by the individual. Where audio media includes ancillarycodes that provide such information, suitable decoding techniques areemployed to detect the encoded information, such as those disclosed inU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,450,490 and 5,764,763 to Jensen, et al., U.S. Pat. No.5,579,124 to Aijala, et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,574,962, 5,581,800 and5,787,334 to Fardeau, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,871,180 to Neuhauser, etal., U.S. Pat. No. 6,862,355 to Kolessar, et al., U.S. Pat. No.6,845,360 to Jensen, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,319,735 to Preuss et al.,U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,191 to Lee, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,175,627 toPetrovich et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,828,325 to Wolosewicz et al., U.S.Pat. No. 6,154,484 to Lee et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,945,932 to Smith etal., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2001/0053190 to Srinivasan,U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0110485 to Lu, et al., U.S.Pat. No. 5,737,025 to Dougherty, et al., U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2004/0170381 to Srinivasan, and WO 06/14362 toSrinivasan, et al., all of which hereby are incorporated by referenceherein.

Examples of techniques for encoding ancillary codes in audio, and forreading such codes, are provided in Bender, et al., “Techniques for DataHiding”, IBM Systems Journal, Vol. 35, Nos. 3 & 4, 1996, which isincorporated herein in its entirety. Bender, et al. disclose a techniquefor encoding audio termed “phase encoding” in which segments of theaudio are transformed to the frequency domain, e.g., by a discreteFourier transform (DFT), so that phase data is produced for eachsegment. Then the phase data is modified to encode a code symbol, suchas one bit. Processing of the phase encoded audio to read the code iscarried out by synchronizing with the data sequence, and detecting thephase encoded data using the known values of the segment length, the DFTpoints and the data interval.

Bender, et al. also describe spread spectrum encoding and decoding, ofwhich multiple embodiments are disclosed in the above-cited Aijala, etal. U.S. Pat. No. 5,579,124.

Still another audio encoding and decoding technique described by Bender,et al. is echo data hiding, in which data is embedded in a host audiosignal by introducing an echo. Symbol states are represented by thevalues of the echo delays, and they are read by any appropriateprocessing that serves to evaluate the lengths and/or presence of theencoded delays.

A further technique or category of techniques, termed “amplitudemodulation” is described in R. Walker, “Audio Watermarking”, BBCResearch and Development, 2004. In this category fall techniques thatmodify the envelope of the audio signal, e.g., by notching or otherwisemodifying brief portions of the signal, or by subjecting the envelope tolonger term modifications. Processing the audio to read the code can beachieved by detecting the transitions representing a notch or othermodifications, or by accumulation or integration over a time periodcomparable to the duration of an encoded symbol, or by another suitabletechnique.

Another category of techniques identified by Walker involvestransforming the audio from the time domain to some transform domain,such as a frequency domain, and then encoding by adding data orotherwise modifying the transformed audio. The domain transformation canbe carried out by a Fourier, DCT, Hadamard, Wavelet or othertransformation, or by digital or analog filtering. Encoding can beachieved by adding a modulated carrier or other data (such as noise,noise-like data or other symbols in the transform domain) or bymodifying the transformed audio, such as by notching or altering one ormore frequency bands, bins or combinations of bins, or by combiningthese methods. Still other related techniques modify the frequencydistribution of the audio data in the transform domain to encode.Psychoacoustic masking can be employed to render the codes inaudible orto reduce their prominence. Processing to read ancillary codes in audiodata encoded by techniques within this category typically involvestransforming the encoded audio to the transform domain and detecting theadditions or other modifications representing the codes.

A still further category of techniques identified by Walker involvesmodifying audio data encoded for compression (whether lossy or lossless)or other purpose, such as audio data encoded in an MP3 format or otherMPEG audio format, AC-3, DTS, ATRAC, WMA, RealAudio, Ogg Vorbis, APTX100, FLAC, Shorten, Monkey's Audio, or other. Encoding involvesmodifications to the encoded audio data, such as modifications to codingcoefficients and/or to predefined decision thresholds. Processing theaudio to read the code is carried out by detecting such modificationsusing knowledge of predefined audio encoding parameters.

It will be appreciated that various known encoding techniques may beemployed, either alone or in combination with the above-describedtechniques. Such known encoding techniques include, but are not limitedto FSK, PSK (such as BPSK), amplitude modulation, frequency modulationand phase modulation.

In some cases a signature is extracted from transduced media data foridentification by matching with reference signatures of known mediadata. Suitable techniques for this purpose include those disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 5,612,729 to Ellis, et al. and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,739,398to Thomas, et al., each of which is assigned to the assignee of thepresent application and both of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

Still other suitable techniques are the subject of U.S. Pat. No.2,662,168 to Scherbatskoy, U.S. Pat. No. 3,919,479 to Moon, et al., U.S.Pat. No. 4,697,209 to Kiewit, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,677,466 to Lert,et al., U.S. Pat. No 5,512,933 to Wheatley, et al., U.S. Pat. No.4,955,070 to Welsh, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,918,730 to Schulze, U.S.Pat. No. 4,843,562 to Kenyon, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,450,551 to Kenyon,et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,230,990 to Lert, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,594,934to Lu, et al., European Published Patent Application EP 0887958 toBichsel and PCT publication WO91/11062 to Young, et al., all of whichare incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

An advantageous signature extraction technique transforms audio datawithin a predetermined frequency range to the frequency domain by atransform function, such as an FFT. The FFT data from an even number offrequency bands (for example, eight, ten, sixteen or thirty twofrequency bands) spanning the predetermined frequency range are used twobands at a time during successive time intervals.

When each band is selected, the energy values of the FFT bins withinsuch band and such time interval are processed to form one bit of thesignature. If there are ten FFT's for each interval of the audio signal,for example, the values of all bins of such band within the first fiveFFT's are summed to form a value “A” and the values of all bins of suchband within the last five FFT's are summed to form a value “B”. In thecase of a received broadcast audio signal, the value A is formed fromportions of the audio signal that were broadcast prior to those used toform the value B.

To form a bit of the signature, the values A and B are compared. If B isgreater than A, the bit is assigned a value “1” and if A is greater thanor equal to B, the bit is assigned a value of “0”. Thus, during eachtime interval, two bits of the signature are produced.

One advantageous technique carries out either or both of code detectionand signature extraction remotely from the location where the researchdata is gathered, as disclosed in U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2003/0005430 published Jan. 2, 2003 to Ronald S. Kolessar, which isassigned to the assignee of the present application and is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

While the invention has been described in detail in connection with thepresently preferred embodiments, it should be readily understood thatthe invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, theinvention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations,alterations, substitutions, or equivalent arrangements not heretoforedescribed, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of theinvention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited bythe foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of theappended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for gathering research dataindicating exposure to media, the apparatus comprising: means forreceiving a first modulated audio signal via a wireless data connectionfrom an audio source device using a wireless communication protocol, thefirst modulated audio signal associated with the media, the means forreceiving to output a baseband audio signal corresponding to the firstmodulated audio signal; means for emitting the baseband audio signal;means for monitoring to receive the baseband audio signal from the meansfor emitting, and to generate research data identifying the media; and ahousing including the means for receiving and the means for emitting,the housing having a cavity dimensioned to receive the means formonitoring, the means for emitting oriented to emit the baseband audiosignal into the cavity.
 2. The apparatus as described in claim 1,wherein the audio source device is a cellular phone.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the housing further includes a pairing button to causethe means for receiving to pair with the audio source device.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication protocolincludes at least one of a Bluetooth protocol, a ZigBee protocol, awireless LAN protocol, an infrared data link, or an inductive link. 5.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for monitoring includes: amicrophone to receive the baseband audio signal from the means foremitting; and a processor to generate research data identifying mediaassociated with the media presentation based on the received basebandaudio signal.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the means formonitoring is to decode a code identifying the media or to extract anaudio signature identifying the media from the baseband audio signal. 7.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the media includes at least one of aprogram, music, television, radio, or an advertisement.
 8. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the wireless communication protocol is an A2DPprofile.
 9. An apparatus to monitor a media presentation, the apparatuscomprising: means for receiving to receive a first modulated audiosignal from a media device via a wireless data connection using awireless communication protocol, the first modulated audio signalassociated with the media presentation, the means for receiving tooutput a baseband audio signal corresponding to the first modulatedaudio signal; means for emitting carried by a housing, the means foremitting to emit the baseband audio signal for receipt by a means formonitoring; means for transmitting to modulate the baseband audio signalto form a second modulated audio signal, the means for transmitting totransmit the second modulated audio signal to wireless headphones usingthe wireless communication protocol; a first pairing button to cause themeans for receiving to pair with the media device; a second pairingbutton to cause the means for transmitting to pair with the wirelessheadphones; and the housing defining a sleeve dimensioned to receive themeans for monitoring, the means for receiving, and the means fortransmitting, the means for monitoring to monitor the mediapresentation.
 10. The apparatus as described in claim 9, wherein themedia device is a cellular phone.
 11. The apparatus as described inclaim 9, wherein the wireless headphones are Bluetooth wirelessheadphones.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first pairingbutton is separate from the second pairing button.
 13. The apparatus ofclaim 9, wherein the wireless communication protocol includes at leastone of a Bluetooth protocol, a ZigBee protocol, a wireless LAN protocol,an infrared data link, or an inductive link.
 14. The apparatus of claim9, further including a processor to receive the baseband audio signalfrom the means for receiving, the processor to transmit the basebandaudio signal to the means for transmitting , the processor to transmitthe baseband audio signal to the means for emitting.
 15. The apparatusof claim 9, wherein the media device includes at least one of a portablemedia player, a personal digital assistant, a smartphone, a radio, atelevision, a game system, a computer, a GPS device, a DVD player, or awalkie-talkie.
 16. The apparatus of claim 9, further including the meansfor monitoring, the means for monitoring including: a microphone toreceive the baseband audio signal from the means for emitting; and aprocessor to generate research data identifying media associated withthe media presentation based on the received baseband audio signal. 17.The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the means for monitoring is to decodea code identifying the media or to extract an audio signatureidentifying the media from the baseband audio signal.
 18. The apparatusof claim 16, wherein the means for emitting is oriented to emit thebaseband audio signal in the sleeve towards the microphone of the meansfor monitoring.
 19. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the media includesat least one of a program, music, television, radio, or anadvertisement.
 20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means formonitoring includes means for transmitting to transmit the research datato an audience measurement entity.